EXCERPT and GIVEAWAY
Dragon’s Revenge
(A Letty Valdez Mystery Book 2)
(A Letty Valdez Mystery Book 2)
by C. J. Shane
Dragon’s Revenge is the second book in the Letty Valdez Mystery series by C. J. Shane. Also available: Desert Jade.
Dragon’s Revenge is currently on tour with Goddess Fish Promotions. The tour stops here today for an excerpt and a giveaway. Please be sure to visit the other tour stops as well.
Description
When Tucson private detective and Iraq War vet Letty Valdez is hired to investigate a murder, she immediately finds herself targeted by a violent criminal. To find the killer, Letty turns to an old memoir of life in late 19th century Tucson. Clues in in the memoir, with its tale of love between two immigrants - one, an Italian widow, and the other, an exiled Chinese revolutionary - launch Letty on a suspense-filled struggle to find answers, to stop the murderer – and to stay alive!
Letty, a Chicana/Native American, has to deal with a mugging, a home invasion and a shootout on the Tohono O’odham Reservation in her attempts to find the criminal who is targeting her. Letty is helped by her friends and family, plus a new canine pal, Teddy the Black Lab sniffer dog. Like all Letty Valdez Mysteries, there’s excitement, intrigue and a touch of romance in Dragon’s Revenge.
Excerpt
By mid-morning, Letty was sleepy again. She called the dogs in from the backyard and took them with her to her bedroom.
Less than an hour later, Letty was startled awake. She sat up in bed.
Both Millie and Teddy were up, alert, and facing her bedroom door. The fur on their necks and along the ridge of their backbones was standing up erect. Both dogs were very tense and staring at the bedroom door with full attention.
Letty’s heart began to pound. She couldn’t hear anything but she knew there had to be an intruder.
Millie growled.
Teddy growled, too, a low rumbling growl from deep in his chest. Teddy’s lips curled up sharply, exposing his teeth. His pink tongue flicked in and out of his mouth. Teddy looked ready to attack and to tear someone apart with those fangs. He growled again.
Millie was ready, too. She stared at the door and growled a second time. She showed her fangs, too.
Letty felt like she almost couldn’t breathe. A paralyzing combination of fear and fury immobilized her. She was too banged up to be able to fight anyone. And whoever was on the other side of the door couldn’t be a welcome visitor. Letty realized that beyond a doubt, she had become a target.
The knob on the door began to turn slowly as if someone were trying to quietly enter the room. At the sight and sound of that turning knob, Millie barked a short warning bark. Teddy followed with a deep woofing sound. Don’t even try it, they communicated to the intruder. The door knob returned to its original position. Both dogs continued to stare intently at the door.
Letty knew that the person on the other side of the door knew now that there were two dogs in her room and those dogs were not happy.
Letty quietly got up from her bed and went to her closet. She pulled down a box from the top shelf, retrieved her Glock, and quickly assembled it. Just as quietly, she loaded the gun.
Letty moved toward the bedroom door, listening intently. She didn’t hear anything. She opened the door, gun in hand aimed and ready to shoot.
Both dogs bolted through the door past her and ran through the house. They were following the scent of the intruder. The backdoor was open. Letty did a quick check of every room in the house, gun ready. Nothing. The intruder had fled. Letty followed the dogs out the back door and into the backyard. Teddy did a quick survey of the backyard and Millie stood at attention close to Letty. Whoever had been there was gone now.
[Want more? Click below to read a longer excerpt.]
Praise for the Book
“Marvellous characters with depth. A intriguing murder mystery along with a historical view into Arizona. Plus multiple indigenous people’s viewpoints and experiences. Not something I know anything about. Thank You for writing. Am following this writer for sure!” ~ Donna on Goodreads
“I love the way socially relevant topics are interwoven in a way that raises your awareness. Whether it be story lines about Native American, Chinese, Mexican, or Italian traditions, or the challenges law enforcement, veterans and environmental advocates face, the writer enhances your understanding and tickles your conscience. ... I eagerly look forward to the next Letty Valdez book.” ~ Glenice on Amazon
“Throughout the story, Letty gives the reader a strong sense of family. The sharing of love, concerns, connections and emotions that follow the characters with real life’s trials, tribulations and triumphs, keeps the plot fast moving and memorable. This reader was pulled into all aspects of the story. I felt like I was a participant, it was magical. I eagerly await the next in the series.” ~ Gale on Amazon
“The mystery keeps one guessing as they learn the history of the area. Well done. I'm looking forward to the third Letty Valdez Mystery.” ~ William on Amazon
About the Author
C. J. Shane is a writer and visual artist in Arizona. In addition to her mystery fiction, she is the author of eight nonfiction books. Her first fiction book, Desert Jade: A Letty Valdez Mystery, is a finalist for Best Suspense-Thriller novel, New Mexico-Arizona Book Awards. Her most recent Letty Valdez Mystery is Dragon's Revenge.
Giveaway
Enter the tour-wide giveaway for a chance to win an original artwork by C. J. Shane (US only).
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